Meetings, deadlines, presentations, events. With so much on the schedule, it’s easy to put your health and wellness by the wayside. According to the American Psychological Association, Americans are more stressed today than any other point in the last decade and this trend is making its way into the workplace.

Improve Your (Work)Flow with Yoga Practice

September 29, 2017

Meetings, deadlines, presentations, events. With so much on the schedule, it’s easy to put your health and wellness by the wayside. According to the American Psychological Association, Americans are more stressed today than any other point in the last decade and this trend is making its way into the workplace. In fact, stress is such a big deal in the workplace and beyond, there is an annual survey dedicated to it. The 2017 Stress in America survey found that constantly having to check electronics was a leading source of stress among Americans this year. This shouldn’t come as a surprise considering many people regularly check their emails, texts and social media accounts in an effort to stay connected. In this same study, 65 percent of Americans strongly agreed that the periodical “digital detox” is crucial for maintaining mental health, but only 28 percent reported doing so.

Stress is a trend that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere for a while. With longer work hours and the constant pressure to stay connected to the workplace, even after hours, it’s no wonder that people are searching for an escape from daily stressors. Yoga can be an effective means of coping with the physical and mental demands of a busy work environment. Balancing the mind and body through particular postures and breathing methods, yoga provides the resources needed to help you work smart and live well. KINETICoffers yoga classes for every experience level, making incorporating yoga into your daily schedule easier and more convenient than ever. Check out the list below for the top benefits of yoga practice.

It will help you focus.

A recent study featured in the Harvard Business Reviewnoted that stress can lead to poor decision-making, forcing our brains to oversimplify as a coping mechanism. Stress can make us feel scatterbrained and can even lead to productivity and performance issues if left unchecked. A 2017 study titled “Prevalence of Mindfulness Practices in the US Workforce” surveyed over 85,000 U.S. adults and found yoga practice reduced stress, making room for improved physical health, higher productivity and reduced employers’ costs. Yoga incorporates a variety of breathing methods, meditations and postures that encourage participants to quietly be in the moment, a method of focusing and unwinding supported by resources like Harvard Health. When the mind is calm and organized, you can tackle the day’s projects with ease.

It will improve your posture.

When you are physically aligned, you are mentally aligned. Excellent posture can work wonders, whether it’s improving spine and shoulder health or boosting your mood. Body language has been linked to heightened feelings of confidence, which can lead to success in the workplace and beyond. One of these so-called “power postures” is simply sitting or standing up straight, shoulders back and your chin up. While this may sound easy, making good posture a habit is harder than it seems. Sedentary work environments, driving in your car and even sleeping can contribute to poor alignment, and this is where yoga comes in. Mountain Pose and Hero Pose are two yoga moves that enhance spine health and prevent slouching.

It will boost your energy.

If you find yourself face-to-face with that dreaded midday slump, consider making a trip to your local KINETIC for a yoga class! A 2017 study performed by researchers at the University of Waterloo found that 25 minutes of Hatha yoga or mindfulness meditation per day can improve cognition, brain health and the ability to control reactionary emotional responses. This physical and mental alertness can be attributed to improved circulation, heightened focus and a surge of endorphins. For a big boost in energy, Yoga Journal recommends full-body poses that engage a variety of muscle groups. Downward-Facing Dog and Cobra Poseare a few poses you can incorporate into your yoga flow for a little boost during those moments of fatigue.

It will make you happy.

If you have a big presentation coming up or are on deadline, yoga can work wonders for anxiety. Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine and McLean Hospital found that practicing yoga could be linked to elevated levels of brain gamma-aminobutyric (GABA) levels. Heightened GABA levels are key for staving off depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions. A great yoga workout can also boost endorphins, which are directly linked to feelings of happiness.

When you work at an Irvine Company Office Property, you can access a variety of group fitness classes at KINETIC, a workplace fitness and wellness movement. KINETIC locations, including Fox Plaza andWestwood Gateway, offer a wide variety of yoga classes at different times, so you can find the perfect class to match your schedule. Whether it’s a lunchtime session or an evening workout, there are plenty of yoga classes available that will get you on the path to working smart and living well. To sign up for a yoga class with KINETIC, be sure to download our app.

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